NFL insider blasts Kyler Murray as Cardinals’ offense stalls vs. Seahawks

Shane Shoemaker

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NFL insider blasts Kyler Murray as Cardinals’ offense stalls vs. Seahawks image

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The Arizona Cardinals struggled to find any rhythm on offense against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

By the end of the third quarter, trailing 17-6, Arizona had managed just 138 yards on 44 plays, averaging 3.1 yards per snap. The Cardinals converted only three of 11 third downs and recorded 10 first downs.

Seattle’s defense deserves credit for its dominance, but the Cardinals also hurt themselves with mistakes and missed opportunities.

Second-year wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. continued to have issues with drops, and one of them proved costly. After Kyler Murray delivered a slant pass, Harrison failed to secure it and the ball wound up in the hands of Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones.

Murray, meanwhile, wasn’t immune to criticism. NFL insider Albert Breer noted the quarterback’s tendency to make things harder on his own line.

“Kyler Murray is bailing out of the back of the pocket WAY too much tonight,” Breer wrote. “Protection hasn’t been great, but he’s not helping his linemen or receivers.”

At the end of the third, Murray’s stat line told the story: 18 of 29 for only 94 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. His passer rating sat at 41.7. The Seahawks also sacked him four times for a loss of 22 yards, adding to the Cardinals’ problems.

If Arizona hopes to keep pace in the NFC West, the offense must improve. That responsibility falls first on Murray, who will need to find consistency in the pocket and help lift the Cardinals’ passing attack.

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Shane Shoemaker

Shane Shoemaker began his career as an editorial writer for ClutchPoints, covering college football, the NFL and MLB. His love for sports took off at age 5, when his dad began taking him all over the country to watch the Atlanta Braves and later, the Miami Hurricanes football team — fueling his passion for experiencing new stadiums. Although a lifelong Tennessean, he remains unaffiliated with local teams, even after writing for Vols Wire. Shane holds a BA in Communications/Journalism from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and never misses a chance to mention the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series win.